Beyond Viruses & Downloads:Safety from Bullies & Cyber-Bullies

Bullying can be contagious and can lead to broken friendships, broken bones, and even loss of life. It's not a joke and it's not funny. The purpose of bullying is to skew the balance of power and make the victim feel helpless. Bullying is reoccurring and often includes an intent to cause harm. However, there are instances when the intent is subconscious and because of an inner turmoil, the bully is lashing out in a futile attempt to regain power.

There are several types of bullying and these types often intertwine and progress, if not stopped. The most common forms that bullying takes is Verbal, Social, Physical, and the most recent form, Cyberbullying. Verbal bullying involves name calling and teasing. This is usually the least recognized form of bullying because the bully does not often see the physiological pain that is being inflicted. Social bullying occurs when rumors are spread, intentional alienation occurs, and friendships are destroyed. Physical bullying is often the most recognized form of bullying and includes hitting, kicking, shoving, and tripping. As mentioned, cyberbullying is the newest advancement in bullying and occurs via technology. Examples of Cyberbullying include fake profiles on a social media account, harassing texts and messages, falsely editing pictures of the victim in order to embarrass, etc.

There are three parties involved in Bullying. There is the Victim, the Bully, and the Bystander. Although the Bystander may not be directly involved, this party is especially important because this is the audience. The audience encourages the Bully, adds fuel to the metaphorical fire, and bares witness to the act of humility of the Victim. Any party can end the bullying by seeking help. Most schools have a Zero Tolerance for bullying and can provide the resources necessary to remedy the situation.

Now the only thing to ask...Are you the Victim?Are you the Bystander?Are you the Bully?And, what are you going to do about it?

Tell me more!

What’s Bullying?: The website includes information to help kids know what bullying is and what to do. Although targeted towards kids, the website also features information for bullies, teachers and other adults.

Bullying: What is it?: BullyOnline features articles and snippets of information on bullying, the types of bullying, how targets are selected and what triggers the event. The website also provides information on what makes bullying different from mobbing and harassment.

Eyes on Bullying: This website features information on bullying, the different players involved, where it can happen and what teens can do to stop bullying. There are also activities and additional resources to help teens become better informed about the issue.

About Bullying: The website by the National School Climate Center devotes a section on bullying. Here, the group describes the different types of bullying and offers an explanation of why students bully.

Stop Bullying: Teens: The website features information on how to deal with being bullied, if the teen is called a bully and how to take a stand against bullying. Also included are information targeted towards other age groups, what signs to look out for and how to seek help.

Put a Stop to Bullying Behavior: The TeenGrowth website features information on bullying and which types of people are more likely to get picked on. It also features information on what to do when confronted with a bully and how to prevent being bullied.

Listen – Learn - Respect (PDF): The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration have created a list of general questions parents and teachers can ask to teens to find out if their child has been bullied. Answers to these questions will indicate whether the teen has personally experienced, witnessed or has been a bully to another teen.

I'm the Victim. What do I do?

Girls Health: This section of the website informs girls on the different types of bullying and their effects, why some girls are targeted, information targeted to bullies and how to avoid being bullied.

The Bully and the Bystander: The GreatSchools website features an article on the role of bystanders when it comes to bullying. It also includes information on what teens and parents can do to stop bullying.

Dealing with Bullies and How Not to be One: This link from the Northern County Psychiatric Associates website features an article explaining what is a bully is and how the act of bullying affects both parties. The article also includes a list of tips to do whether the teen is victim or the bully.

Always be Prepared – To Battle Bullies: A news report shows that the Boy Scouts is taking the challenge of bullying seriously. Part of the new handbook has devoted a section on bullying, which scouts need to memorize in order to advance to a higher rank.

What to Do if Your Child is Teased or Bullied: The link opens to an excerpt from the book “Parents Do Make a Difference.” In this article, the author discusses suggestions on what parents can do and should not do to help their child from being bullied.

Am I a Bully?

Teaching Kids Not to Bully: Nemours’ Kidshealth section offers information on why kids bully and what parents can do if their child is the bully. From this article, parents, kids and teens may also access other information related to bullying.

Bullying: It’s Not OK: HealthyChildren.org has provided a bulleted list of information about bullying. Besides educating parents about bullying, it also teaches them on what to do when their child is the bully or how children should respond when being bullied.

Are You a Bully?: This section of the Kids’ Health website answers some of the frequent questions and misconceptions on teasing and bullying. A separate link offers tips on how to stop the act.

Websites Dedicated to Bullying

Pacer Teens against Bullying: This interactive website is designed specifically with teens in mind, written in a tone teens can relate to. It includes information on bullying, why people bully and who gets bullied. The website also features a list of resources such as books and additional links on bullying.

Young People’s Section: The Anti-Bullying Network has devoted a specific section for teens. It includes eight different characters that teens can click. Each character comes from a different background and offers information and advice on bullying.

Bully Police USA: The website lists all existing laws and updates on bullying for each state. Also included are copies of the House Bill or law on bullying for each state.

National Bullying Prevention Center: This project by the PACER Center features information directed towards schools and parents. Included are activities and resources aimed for middle and high school students.

Cyberbullying Resources

Cyberbullying Research Center: The website is solely devoted to explaining the act, the reasons and effects of cyberbullying. Also included are news, fact sheets and existing studies on the topic.

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program: This program aims to improve relations between students, reducing the instances of bullying in schools. The program is applied long-term to affect all students and staff. It is designed for use from elementary to the high school years.

Stop Cyberbullying: The link features information on cyberbullying for teens ages 14-17. It includes a list of articles to identify whether one is a cyberbully, correct netiquette tips and more. There are also sections devoted to younger kids, parents, teachers and law enforcement personnel.

State Action on Cyber-Bullying: This news report from USA Today features a comprehensive list of states that have laws on cyberbullying. It also includes brief information on what each state law includes.

Cell Phone Safety: The National Crime Prevention Council has devoted a section specifically on how cell phone use is used in bullying. It features a teacher’s guide, pamphlet, mini-magazine for students and a poster. The website also features information on other aspects of bullying in general and cyberbullying.

Suicide is not the answer

Bullying and Suicide: Suicide.org features articles dedicated to suicide caused by bullying. In addition to articles, there is also a list of different suicide hotlines where teens can find someone to talk to when contemplating suicide.

Suicide Prevention: A website dedicated in the memory of Ryan Patrick Halligan includes information on what teens can do when they are feeling suicidal or know somebody who is. It features a list of warning signs and additional resources on suicide. Ryan Halligan committed suicide after being bullied in school and online.

Not the only Victim...

Operation Respect: This program by DontLaugh.org offers a learning environment for kids from grades 2-8 that is free from bullying or ridicule. The Kid’s Corner features activities that schools can use to reduce bullying.

Bullying and Gay Youth: This section under the Mental Health America website explains the effects of bullying on the gay youth. Also included are tips on how to help end bullying in schools.

It Gets Better Project: This program is aimed towards LGBT youth to help them overcome bullying and other issues. Users can upload and watch videos as well as access to additional resources.

Anti-Bullying Resources: The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network website provides resources for schools to reduce bullying incidents in their schools. Listed are various programs and resources to help address bullying.

Kid to Kid: The website features stories made by kids for kids facing the same problems they do. Besides bullying, other issues discussed include AIDS, depression, emotions and drugs among others.

School for Bullying Victims: Cambridge’s Red Balloon Learning Centre offers a safe learning environment for kids and teens that have been bullied. In addition to academic lessons, the school offers support and counseling time for kids to restore their self-esteem.